Southwest Transitway

July 2019 - Winnipeg Transit is proposing improved bus routes in southwest Winnipeg to coincide with the opening of the Southwest Transitway (Stage 2) in April 2020, subject to Council approval. Thank you to those who provided feedback in April 2019. Winnipeg Transit will continue to refine the routes over the summer and will present the routes to Council in fall 2019. Please visit the Routes tab to learn more, and visit the Engage tab to view a summary of what was heard during the public engagement.

The Southwest Transitway is a dedicated high-speed roadway for buses, physically separated from the regular street system linking Downtown to the southwest part of the city. Buses operate at speeds up to 80 km/h, free of any other traffic, providing very fast, reliable service.

Stage 1 of the Southwest Transitway, completed in 2012, currently runs from Queen Elizabeth Way & Stradbrook Avenue to Pembina Highway and Jubilee Avenue. Once Stage 2 is completed, anticipated in spring 2020, the Southwest Transitway will operate from Downtown to the neighbourhoods of southwest Winnipeg, including the University of Manitoba.

Timeline

Updates

Background

Documents

Engage

FAQs

Routes

Route Maps

Maps

Photos

Videos

Related Links

Project Timeline

Updates

­­SWT2 Website Update – August 2019:

Construction continues on the Southwest Transitway project. Project components are being constructed and
completed at various locations along the entire length of the project corridor. A breakdown of the current work by
area, including an area map can be found below.

Pembina Highway to Beaumont Street:

Work in this area is on-going and includes two pump stations near the Pembina Highway Underpass and two
new bridges – one for the CN Rail line and one for the new Transitway itself. Rail relocations (Wye tracks), new
road works, and retaining walls are also required.

Work planned for the month of August includes:

Lane closures:

To accommodate construction activities, Pembina Highway has been reduced to two lanes of traffic in the
southbound direction.

For real-time road, traffic, and incident information from the City’s Transportation Management Centre and
from other Winnipeg drivers, please join the Waze community by downloading the app at www.waze.com/get

Transitway over Pembina Bridge:

Constuction of bridge approaches and deck.

West Rail Wye Bridge:

Work on the bridge foundations.

East Rail Wye Bridge:

Work on the bridge foundations.

Retaining Walls:

Construction of retaining walls on the east and west side of Pembina Highway.

Pembina Highway Roadworks:

Completion of the north and southbound Pembina Highway centre lanes.

Installation of overhead sign structures.

Landscaping work along Pembina Highway between Windermere and Merriam.

Key infrastructure work in this area includes an overpass at McGillivray, the extension of Hurst Way, the
building of the transitway, and transitway stations, as well as a park and ride lot at Seel Avenue. Work planned for
the month of August includes:

For real-time road, traffic, and incident information from the City’s Transportation Management Centre and
from other Winnipeg drivers, please join the Waze community by downloading the app at www.waze.com/get

Transitway:

Work on the Transitway pavement, adjacent active transportation pathway and landscaping

Brenda Leipsic Dog Park:

Landscaping, seeding and grading

McGillivray Overpass:

Completion of MSE wall coping

Stations:

Installation of fencing, landscaping and furnishings at Beaumont and Seel Stations

Key infrastructure in this area includes an overpass over the Letellier Rail subdivision, two bridges
over Bishop Grandin Boulevard, (for the Transitway and for active transportation), the building of the
Transitway, and a noise attenuation wall.

Work planned for the month of August includes:

Lane closures:

Closure of Markham Road rail crossing between August 4 and August 5, 2019.

For real-time road, traffic, and incident information from the City’s Transportation Management Centre
and from other Winnipeg drivers, please join the Waze community by downloading the app at www.waze.com/get

Letellier Overpass:

Completion of permanent roadside protection

AT Bridge over Bishop Grandin:

Completion of pedestrian safety screening and railing

Transitway over Bishop Grandin Boulevard:

Completion of approach work and MSE coping wall

Transitway:

Work on the Transitway pavement, adjacent active transportation pathway, and landscaping

Stations:

Installation of fencing, landscaping and furnishings at Plaza, Chevrier and Clarence Stations

Background

Southwest Transitway Benefits

The Transitway alignment bypasses several areas of traffic congestion on Pembina Highway (the major arterial along the corridor).

With the southwest area’s population expected to grow by 40% by 2030, the Transitway is essential to realize a mode shift required to moderate traffic demand on the roadway network and to improve the overall performance of the transportation system.

Stage 1 of the Transitway has already stimulated new development approvals, including a transit-oriented community of more than 1,000 dwellings in the Fort Rouge Yards adjacent to the completed Stage 1 Transitway, and two new mixed-used towers near Osborne Station and Harkness Station. An additional 1,300 residential units have been approved for Bishop Grandin Crossing (Hopewell Lands). Further development is planned in the Parker Lands and Southwood Golf Course Lands.

Improved travel time savings of transit relative to automobile travel. The Stage 1 section of the Southwest Transitway has yielded travel time savings of 4-8 minutes on trips between the centre of Downtown and the University of Manitoba, with greater time savings being realized during peak periods. Given the greater length of Stage 2, it is expected that 5-8 minutes of time savings will result from the construction of Stage 2, depending on the time of day.

New active transportation (AT) facilities including new bicycle and pedestrians paths, connections to existing paths, covered bike racks and lockers at the stations, and bike racks on rapid transit buses.

Southwest Transitway Stage 2 Alignment Final Report

Winnipeg Transit and the Province of Manitoba retained a consulting firm in 2012 to examine alignment options for Stage 2 of the Southwest Transitway. The report can be found below:

Background Information

For an overview of the Southwest Rapid Transitway Stage 2 or for the Southwest Rapid Transitway Stage 2 Alignment choice click on the fact sheets below:

Southwest Rapid Transitway Stage 2 funding

The Southwest Rapid Transitway (Stage 2) and Pembina Highway Underpass project is being proposed as a public-private-partnership or P3. Under a P3 project, the design and construction work is bundled together. The private sector partner takes on all design, co-ordination and construction risks. As well, the private sector partner has an incentive to produce a design that can be efficiently constructed and that can be properly maintained. Under a P3 project, maintenance is included as part of the “bundle.” The constructor has to stand by the project for 30 years and maintain it in good working order. Under this arrangement, the constructor has a real stake in the project’s long-term durability because after 30 years it must be turned back over to the City in essentially “as new” condition.

A P3 must also demonstrate value for money, i.e. it must give the City better value for its dollars than the usual way of constructing a project. Dillon Consulting and Deloitte have been working with the City to develop a P3 Business Case and Value for Money (VFM) assessment for this project. A summary report of the Business Case and Value for Money assessment is available here. It is expected that constructing the Southwest Rapid Transitway (Stage 2) and Pembina Highway Underpass project as a P3 using a design-build-finance-(operate)-maintain (DBFM) model, the City will achieve VFM savings of 13 percent. Redacted version of the full P3 business case.

In order to fulfill the requirements of the Province of Manitoba’s Public-Private Partnerships Transparency & Accountability Act, which was enacted in June 2012, the citizens of Winnipeg were invited to the June 3, 2014 meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal & Public Works, which served as the required Public Meeting for the proposed P3 project. A report on the Public Meeting can be viewed by clicking on the link below:
* Report on P3 Public Meeting for SW Rapid Transitway Stage 2 & Pembina Underpass project (2014-07-09)

A funding application to PPP Canada was made in 2014. On February 9, 2015, the federal government announced that it will contribute up to $137.3 million to the Southwest Transitway (Stage 2) through the PPP Canada fund, while the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg will contribute the balance of the project costs.

Note: Some text may be redacted in the documents posted on this page. The reason for this is to protect commercially sensitive information so that we do not jeopardize the competitiveness of the P3 procurement process.

Engage

Winnipeg Transit is proposing improved bus routes in southwest Winnipeg that will coincide with the opening of the Southwest Transitway (Stage 2) in April 2020. Please visit the Routes tab for more information.

Thank you to all who attended an Ideas in Motion Bus event or completed and online survey in April 2019. Key themes that were heard included:

Themes

Example of What We Heard

Active Transportation

Incorporate cycling amenities into the Southwest Transitway like bike racks on buses and walk bike connections to stations

Coverage

Extend transit service to new neighbourhoods including Bridgwater, Waverley West, and Prairie Pointe

Public input gathered throughout the public engagement process will help further refine the proposed route improvements before recommending changes to Council for its approval in advance of the opening of the second stage of the Southwest Transitway.

FAQs

The Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor is a dedicated, high-speed roadway for buses, physically separated from the regular street system, that will complete a high-speed link from Winnipeg’s downtown to the southwest quadrant of the city. On the Transitway, buses provide fast, reliable service, unaffected by traffic congestion and other incidents and delays that occur on the regular street system.

Date added: January 13, 2017

What areas of the city will be serviced by the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor?

When Stage 2 of the project is complete and operational in 2020, the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor will link Winnipeg’s downtown to all of the city’s southwest neighbourhoods, including the University of Manitoba and Investors Group Field. Existing feeder routes in the southwest quadrant of the city will connect with the rapid transit corridor.

Stage 1 of the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor is operational and runs from Queen Elizabeth Way and Stradbrook to Pembina and Jubilee.

Date added: January 13, 2017

What are the timelines for construction?

Project construction on Stage 2 of the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor began in August 2016 and is expected to be completed in late 2019. A period of testing and training will follow completion of construction, with the new transitway anticipated to be operational in April 2020.

The City and its project partners are committed to keeping residents fully informed about temporary construction impacts such as lane closures and access restrictions. Updated construction timelines and advisories are available in the Updates tab, and residents and businesses who may be affected by nearby construction will be advised in advance.

Date added: January 13, 2017

Where is the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor being built?

Once completed, the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor will link downtown with the city’s southwest neighbourhoods. Stage 1, which originates downtown and terminates at Pembina and Jubilee, is currently operational. Stage 2 will extend the rapid transit link southward, terminating at the University of Manitoba/Investors Group Field. From Pembina and Jubilee, Stage 2 of the transitway will be routed along Parker Avenue to Hurst Way, reconnecting with Pembina Highway near the intersection of Pembina and Chevrier Blvd. The transitway will continue to run parallel to Pembina Highway until Markham Avenue. From Markham, rapid transit vehicles will enter the University of Manitoba campus to service the university and Investors Group Field. View a map of the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor.

Date added: January 13, 2017

Will new transit stations be built?

Modern, accessible, weather-protected stations will be built at key locations along the transitway and will connect with all existing active transportation routes that intersect with the transitway. All stations will offer prominent, real-time next bus displays, and will include bike lockers for those who commute to a rapid transit station and then bus to their final destination.

Beaumont Station (Parker Avenue between Beaumont Street and Georgina Street)

Seel Station (Located approximately where the transitway intersects with Seel Ave)

Clarence Station (Located approximately where the transitway intersects with Clarence Ave)

Chevrier Station (Located approximately where the transitway intersects with Chevrier Blvd)

Plaza Station (Pembina Highway at Plaza Drive)

Chancellor Station (Pembina Highway at Chancellor Drive)

Markham Station (Pembina Highway at Markham Road)

Stadium Station (Investors Group Field)

The principal bus stops at the University of Manitoba along Dafoe Road will also be upgraded.

Chevrier, Clarence and McGillivray stations will be park-and-ride stations with ample on-site parking for commuters.

Parker station will be a kiss-and-ride station. A kiss-and-ride station has a vehicle lane up to the station for quick and convenient passenger drop-offs and pick-ups.

Date added: January 13, 2017

What types of transit vehicles run on the transitway?

Modern, climate-controlled, GPS-connected buses will operate on the transitway. Buses have the advantage of being able to operate both on and off the transitway, collecting passengers along the regular street system and delivering high-speed service on the dedicated rapid transit corridor.

Date added: January 13, 2017

What about existing service and stops?

Winnipeg Transit is proposing updated, improved bus routes in southwest Winnipeg that will coincide with the opening of the Southwest Transitway (Stage 2) in spring 2020. Please visit the Routes tab for more information.

Date added: January 13, 2017

Why is Winnipeg Transit proposing updates to routes along the Southwest Transitway?

The implementation of the proposed new routes using a spine and feeder network will ensure optimal use of Winnipeg Transit’s resources so that it can improve the delivery of efficient, fast, and reliable transit service for residents in the southwest of the City.

Date added: January 13, 2017

Construction impact questions

How will traffic be impacted along nearby roadways during construction?

Most of the construction work on the transitway will not directly impact regular vehicle traffic. There will be occasional lane closures and access restrictions on Pembina Highway, particularly at the Pembina Highway Underpass, where traffic will be restricted to two lanes in each direction for three construction seasons.

The Pembina Highway Underpass will be closed with no access to vehicles on up to five occasions during the project. Access for buses and emergency vehicles will be maintained. Closures will begin after Friday rush hour and end before Monday rush hour. During these closures, the Jubilee overpass ramp will remain open at all times.

Clear signage will be erected in advance of any construction that affects public thoroughfares, and local residents and businesses directly affected by the closures will be contacted. Construction updates will be posted on the Updates tab.

What steps are being taken to mitigate noise and disruption during construction?

The City and its partners are committed to ensuring that project-related construction causes the least amount of disruption possible. The majority of the construction work will take place during regular daytime hours. Occasionally, work may need to continue after regular hours to help ensure construction on major thoroughfares is completed as quickly as possible, with the aim of minimizing disruptions to commuters along major routes.

Date added: January 13, 2017

What about noise once the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor is operational?

The City has engaged directly with residents who live near the transitway. Project plans reflect feedback from residents and include measures to mitigate noise and vibration for nearby homeowners. The concrete works for the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor are designed to minimize vibration from transit vehicles. The project also includes construction of a noise attenuation wall from Bishop Grandin to Markham, on City property adjacent to residents’ property lines. Residents directly affected by the noise attenuation wall will be contacted prior to construction.

Date added: January 13, 2017

How will construction affect existing pedestrian and active transportation routes?

During project construction, some temporary closures may impact pedestrians and cyclists. Signage will be posted in advance of any closure or re-routing, and alternative access for pedestrian and cyclist traffic will be provided where possible. Local residents and businesses directly affected by the closures will be contacted. Pedestrians will have access to the Pembina Highway Underpass for the duration of the project.

The Pembina Highway Underpass will be fully closed to all traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists on up to five occasions during the project. Closures will begin after Friday rush hour and end before Monday rush hour. During these closures, the Jubilee overpass ramp will remain open at all times.

Pedestrian and cyclist access will be maintained during weekend closures by a shuttle service, with two pick-up and drop-off points located north of the underpass on the east side of Pembina Highway opposite Harrow Street, and south of the underpass on the east side at the Jubilee Avenue yield onto Pembina Highway. Both pedestrians and cyclists will be required to use the shuttle service during the closures.

Enhanced active transportation infrastructure, improved safety and connectivity are important parts of the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor project. All existing active transportation routes that intersect with the Transitway will be connected to the enhanced active transportation network.

Date added: June 9, 2017

What will happen to the Brenda Leipsic dog park?

The Brenda Leipsic Dog Park (BLDP) was closed in early 2016 and will be relocated to a new location nearby with improved services. A temporary dog park, located north of the Winnipeg Humane Society, will be available until construction of the new dog park is complete. More information on the temporary site location is available on the Brenda Leipsic Dog Park website

Date added: January 13, 2017

Will existing transit service be affected during construction?

During the construction period, it is not anticipated that there will be impacts on existing service. As segments of the transitway are completed, some routes may be modified to take advantage of the new infrastructure, such as park and ride service to events at Investors Group Field.

Date added: January 13, 2017

Active transportation and other improvements

Why is the Pembina Highway Underpass being redeveloped and expanded? What will be the benefits of an improved underpass?

The Pembina Highway Underpass at Pembina and Jubilee will be widened and enhanced for the benefit of all users. Pembina Highway will be reconstructed and widened to three lanes each way from Stafford Street to Point Road to improve traffic flow, and new active transportation pathways will be added to both the east and west sides of the underpass to improve access and safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Date added: January 13, 2017

Will new active transportation routes be part of the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor project?

Active transportation is an important part of the project. A modern, protected, accessible active transportation path will run along the full length of the transitway and will be connected to all intersecting active transportation routes. The active transportation route will be illuminated at night for enhanced visibility and safety.

Date added: January 13, 2017

Project background

What is the history of the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor project?

Stage 1 of the transitway, which runs from downtown to the Pembina Highway Underpass at Pembina and Jubilee, became operational in 2012. In June of 2014, City Council approved Stage 2 of the project to complete the rapid transit link from downtown to the University of Manitoba, as well as neighbourhoods in the fast-growing southwestern quadrant of the city. A request for proposals was issued in 2015, and in June of 2016 the successful design consortium – Plenary Roads Winnipeg – was awarded the contract to design, build, and maintain the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor. Construction began in the fall of 2016.

Date added: January 13, 2017

How much will the project cost? How is it being funded?

Project costs are shared by all three levels of government. The federal government committed $137.3 million through the PPP (public-private partnership) Canada fund in February 2015. The Province of Manitoba and City of Winnipeg will contribute the balance of project costs. A competitive bidding process and final design changes reduced project costs by $120 million from initial estimates. Total project cost, including the transitway, redeveloped Pembina Highway Underpass, and new active transportation infrastructure is $467.3 million. The Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor and Pembina Highway Underpass project is a public-private partnership.

Date added: January 13, 2017

How was the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor Stage 2 route determined? What are the advantages of the selected route over the alternatives that were considered?

The Stage 2 route was selected to bypass areas of significant traffic congestion on Pembina Highway and ultimately improve travel times and service reliability between downtown and the southwestern quadrant of the city. Property requirements, interaction with cross-street traffic, cost and impact on existing businesses and homes were all factors taken into consideration during the route selection process. The selected route also provides the greatest opportunities for new transit-oriented development along the transitway.

Date added: January 13, 2017

Why is Winnipeg proceeding with bus rapid transit (BRT) over other options such as light rail transit (LRT)?

BRT can travel on both regular city streets and the high-speed transitway, allowing far greater integration with existing transit routes. BRT infrastructure has been designed with the growth of the city in mind, and could be transitioned to LRT as required.

Date added: January 13, 2017

What about future rapid transit routes?

Winnipeg’s Transportation Master Plan sets out proposed routes for future high-speed transit corridors, with the aim of developing an integrated rapid transit network to serve all areas of the city. The Master Plan identified the Eastern Rapid Transit Corridor (ERTC) as the next phase of rapid transit to be developed in Winnipeg following Stage 2 of the SWRT. The ERTC is anticipated to link downtown Winnipeg with Transcona. Work on the functional study for the ERTC will commence in the fall of 2016 with expected completion of the study in 2018.

Date added: January 13, 2017

Routes

Winnipeg Transit is proposing improvements to bus routes in southwest Winnipeg to coincide with the opening of the Southwest Rapid Transitway (Stage 2) in spring 2020, including a new spine and feeder network.

The proposed BLUE Line is the backbone of the Southwest Transitway, providing frequent high-speed service between Downtown, the University of Manitoba, and St. Norbert. The BLUE Line will be serviced by 28 new articulated buses that can hold up to 50 percent more passengers than standard buses.

Short feeder routes will connect neighborhoods in southwest Winnipeg to the transitway but will not operate on the transitway. Passengers traveling on a feeder route will be required to transfer to the BLUE Line at the transitway. The feeders are neighbourhood-based, and bring passengers to the spine so they can transfer to a high frequency bus.

When buses arrive often, they are less crowded and wait times are short. Short wait times make transfers quicker, more flexible, and less cumbersome to plan.

The implementation of the proposed new routes using a spine and feeder network will ensure optimal use of Winnipeg Transit’s resources so that it can improve the delivery of efficient, fast, and reliable transit service for residents in the southwest of the City.

For more information, please see the presentation boards and the proposed route map.

The following routes will operate on the transitway:

BLUE – University of Manitoba

BLUE – St. Norbert

The following feeder routes will connect neighborhoods to the transitway:

Join us on the Ideas in Motion bus popping up in communities throughout southwest Winnipeg in early April where you can learn more about the proposed system and route changes, and share your input with the project team in person. An online survey is also available until April 15. For more information on opportunities to get involved and Ideas in Motion bus locations, please visit the Engage tab.

Next Steps

Seek public input on routes – spring 2019

Seek Council approval of routes – fall 2019

Transitway construction complete – winter 2019/20

Notification of new routes* – spring 2020

Transitway opens and new routes are launched* – spring 2020

*Subject to council approval.

Route Maps

The following map illustrates the proposed updated bus routes. The maps are subject to change based on public feedback. The final bus route recommendations will be subject to Council approval.

2016 Construction Activities

2016 saw construction begin on stage 2 of the Southwest Transitway. Work began in the Southwood lands, at Investors Group Field, and at the Pembina/Jubilee overpass. A summary of the work can be found here: 2016 SWRTC construction activities.

Videos

Time lapse of the crowd arriving at Stadium Station for the the Banjo Bowl in the fall of 2017.

Time lapse of the crowd leaving the Banjo Bowl and boarding buses at Stadium Station in the fall of 2017.

This video shows Stadium Station being used after a Winnipeg Blue Bomber game in the fall of 2017.

The video below provides an aerial flyover of the completed Stadium Station. This video follows Bohemier Trail from Pembina to University Crescent.

The video below provides an aerial flyover of the completed Stadium Station. This video follows the Active Transportation path from Pembina Highway, along Bohemier Trail, Markham Road, and along University Crescent.

The video below provides an aerial flyover of 2016 construction activity on the Southwest Rapid Transitway in the Southwood lands.

Related Links

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